Pray for Israel

“Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye. They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.” — Psalm 35:19-20

In the West, we like to tell ourselves that public anti-Semitism is a thing of the past. And, indeed, it’s true that Jews throughout the Western world enjoy freedom of religion and freedom from fear and intimidation that is unheard of in most Arab and Muslim states. But then a story or an incident surfaces to remind us that what one author called “the longest and deepest hatred of human history” not only lives, but flourishes, even in countries considered modern and “enlightened.”

Indeed, recent studies conducted by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) have found that anti-Semitism across Europe has risen to a level not seen since World War II. The spike is part of a rising tide of anti-Semitism worldwide that is fueled not just by radical Islamists, but by the political far left and far right as well.

No, my friends, anti-Semitism was not a phenomenon of the Nazi regime; it is an infectious attitude of ethnic superiority that still spreads vile accusations and violence today. But we can, and we must, work toward putting an end to this infectious evil.

David understood what it was like to be the object of persecution. He knew that pride is the underlying motivation of prejudice and persecution. That’s why he spoke of those who “gloat over me” and “who are my enemies without cause” and “who hate me without reason.” Prejudice is an emotional reaction that does not respond to reason. It hates others without cause. It just hates. But it is not content to hate, it acts out its hatred.

David spoke of those who “devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.” What better description for the current state of Israel? The Jewish people live quietly in the land while the nations around her devise false accusations against her and spew violent threats and acts against her.

So what can one person do in the face of such violence and widespread hatred toward Jews? I offer two suggestions: counter the lies with the truth, and take time to pray for Israel.

Firstly, when we hear a lie about Israel or the Jewish people, we need to take time to set the record straight. Write to the editor of the newspaper. Talk to our neighbors when they say something ill-informed. Confront the lies with the truth and gradually the lies will stop spreading. It’s like putting out a fire.

But more than that, we can pray. Prayer makes such a difference because, ultimately, God is in control.

HLM